Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Protects Over 500 Acres for Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation

HEATH & COLRAIN — Today, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife), Mass Audubon, and Franklin Land Trust joined local leaders, partners, and the public to celebrate the conservation of over 500 acres of the Stone Mountain landscape for people and nature. 

Through partnership with Mass Audubon and Franklin Land Trust, this special landscape will be permanently conserved and open to the public as the new 465-acre MassWildlife Stone Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and 47-acre addition to Franklin Land Trust (FLT)’s Crowningshield Conservation Area. These connected lands feature forests, fields, wetlands, and streams, and their protection supports biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, and access to nature. 

“Massachusetts is home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country, and we have a responsibility to protect them,” said Governor Maura Healey. "By preserving more than 500 acres in Franklin County, we're protecting clean water, preserving wildlife habitats and creating more opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors. We're grateful to our local and conservation partners for helping us protect these special places for generations to come.” 

“Our forests, trails and open spaces are part of what makes Massachusetts such a special place to live, work and visit,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This project is a win for Franklin County, expanding access to outdoor recreation, supporting our local outdoor economy and protecting the natural beauty that draws people to Western Massachusetts. We're proud to work with our partners to make sure more residents and visitors can experience everything this region has to offer.” 

“Protecting nature is one of the most cost-effective and impactful solutions to climate change,” said Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Conserving these large, connected forests and wetlands will provide clean water, store carbon, and help the land better withstand extreme weather.” 

This large, connected landscape provides critical habitat for wildlife and outdoor recreation. MassWildlife’s 465-acre Stone Mountain WMA features large, uninterrupted forests, steep rock ledges, and a coldwater stream, Roberts Brook, that provides habitat for fish like eastern brook trout. The property is priority habitat for rare species like the mourning warbler, a migratory songbird that is vulnerable to climate change. The 306 acre FLT’s Crowningshield Conservation Area features former agricultural fields, trails, and Burrington Brook, a coldwater tributary to the West Branch of the North River. The property also has Branch View Barn, which overlooks Stone Mountain and will serve an educational hub and gathering place for the land trust community. Additionally, the entirety of the property is open to hunting because it’s outside any setbacks 

“Conservation of the Stone Mountain landscape is a remarkable achievement for people and wildlife in Franklin County,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Projects like this don’t happen overnight—they take tremendous teamwork and collaboration. We are grateful to our partners at Mass Audubon, Franklin Land Trust, and the community for their forward-looking vision and commitment to conserve this special place for future generations.” 

“Our new Stone Mountain Wildlife Management Area has it all, from coldwater streams and expansive forests that support a variety of wildlife to incredible opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching,” said MassWildlife Director Eve Schlüter. “We’re proud to permanently protect this special place to ensure wildlife can thrive and people can enjoy it for generations to come.”   

This project was made possible by partnership with Mass Audubon and Franklin Land Trust. Mass Audubon stepped in early to pre-purchase the 465-acre Stone Mountain property through their 30x30 Catalyst Fund, a $75 million initiative to accelerate land conservation that is the largest of its kind in the region. In 2026, DFG invested $535,000 to permanently conserve the lands as the new MassWildlife Stone Mountain WMA. Through the EEA Conservation Partnership grant program, Franklin Land Trust acquired the nearby 47-acre Branch View Farm to grow the Crowningshield Conservation Area to 306 acres. Through the EEA Landscape Partnership grant program, partners, including the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Trustees of Reservations, expect to conserve an additional 800 acres this upcoming year. 

“Permanent conservation of forests and other critical habitats is often like a puzzle, with a diverse collection of partner organizations each contributing pieces,” said Mass Audubon President & CEO David O’Neill. “Mass Audubon stepped in to pre-acquire 465 acres at Stone Mountain using money from its Catalyst Fund, but this would never have been possible without the incredible folks from Franklin Land Trust and MassWildlife. We’re one part of a vital collaborative effort to strategically preserve contiguous landscapes like this one – in addition to another 500 acres across of Franklin County last year and nearly 800 total acres in Colrain and Heath this year – that will now be protected for future generations.” 

“The conservation of the Stone Mountain landscape reflects what is possible when communities, conservation organizations, and public agencies unite around a shared vision,” said Mary Lynn Sabourin, Executive Director of Franklin Land Trust. “By protecting this latest addition to the Crowningshield Conservation Area alongside the new Stone Mountain Wildlife Management Area, we are safeguarding connected forests, fields, streams, and wildlife habitat while creating enduring opportunities for education, recreation, and meaningful connections to the land. Franklin Land Trust is deeply grateful to the landowners, partners, funders, and community members whose commitment made this achievement possible and ensures that this extraordinary landscape will benefit Franklin County for generations to come.” 

This demonstrates the progress toward the state’s goals of protecting 30% of our lands and waters by 2030 and 40% by 2050. As part of the Biodiversity Goals for the Commonwealth, the state has committed to doubling the pace of land conservation to meet these ambitious targets, strategically focusing on areas that are most important for wildlife. Through the Mass Ready Act, the Healey-Driscoll Administration proposed historic investments to accelerate progress towards these goals, including $304.5 million to support state land protection programs and $20 million dedicated to advancing the Biodiversity Conservation Goals. 

In 2026, the Department of Fish & Game and partners completed 41 land conservation projects statewide, conserving 3,320 acres of land in perpetuity for biodiversity and outdoor recreation. This includes several projects in Franklin County. Conserved in partnership with Mass Audubon, MassWildlife’s Spur Brook WMA in Colrain is a 294-acre property that features a coldwater stream, fields, forests, and wetlands. Located in Shelburne, Hinsdale Brook WMA is a 51-acre property, which features habitat for rare and endangered species and 2,200 feet of access to the brook, a designated coldwater fisheries resource. Located in Charlemont and Rowe, Zoar WMA features 435 acres of northern hardwood forests, steep slopes, and hemlock ravines. It also provides priority habitat for endangered species and important coldwater tributaries to the Deerfield River.

“Protecting the Stone Mountain landscape is a tremendous win for Heath, Colrain, and all of Franklin County,” said State Senator Paul W. Mark (D-Becket). “Our natural beauty and open spaces are part of what makes western Massachusetts so special, and preserving these lands ensures they can be enjoyed for generations to come. I am grateful to all the partners who worked together to make this important conservation effort possible.” 

###